Ava Luke is a local girl who is just five years old – the day her team mates were playing in their footy grand final, Ava was on her way to Newcastle Hospital where her parents, Danielle and Jade, received the terrible news that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
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While her kindy classmates are at school, Ava has treatment.
She was diagnosed on September 7, 2015, and is on the high risk protocol which means that she will have more intense treatment.
Molly Dawson was saddened to hear of the family’s plight and their ongoing expenses so she organised a trivia night and a swim-a-thon, supported by the swimming club.
Molly has had a long association with the club as a swimmer, then instructor. She also helps organise the annual Deb of the Year Ball.
The swim-a-thon raised $2129, with Jess Gallen raising the most money ($685) and Anaya Boal swimming the most laps (300). Thirty children took part and completed 4354 laps (108.85km) in the four-hour time slot.
On Tuesday this week, Molly Dawson and Emma Gallen presented a cheque for $2500 to Natalie Walters-Hopwood, a close friend of the Luke family. Molly and her supporters also raised a further $2500 for Angel Flight.
“Molly Dawson and the swimming club’s efforts to raise funds were nothing short of amazing,” Natalie said.
“Danielle and her family are so grateful – Ava, her mum, brother Kodiee and her Nan (Lee-ann) are currently having to live in Ronald McDonald House so Ava can be close to the hospital for treatment.
“Jade, Ava’s dad, continues to work in Gunnedah to support his family and travels to Newcastle at every opportunity to see them.
“Ava has two years ahead of her in her fight.”
The little girl is currently on a consolidation period of her treatment, with weekly lumbar punctures and chemo and a number of other drugs required for her treatment.
During the lumbar punctures, three syringes containing three different types of chemo are administered into her spinal fluid.
Unfortunately Ava’s treatment has been delayed this week as she has had two infections – she will have more blood tests to see if the treatment can resume without further delay.
Around Christmas Ava will have another bone marrow test which requires a big needle to be placed into her hip bone at her back to take blood from inside her bones as that is where the leukaemia is. This judges the effectiveness of the current regime of treatment.
Natalie said Ava’s family is very grateful to everyone for their support and they can’t thank the Swimming Club and Molly Dawson enough for the support they have given to help make Ava’s journey back to good health easier.
“The figure raised by the club was amazing and a testament to the amount of effort Molly, the club and the children participating put into the events,” she said.
“The Luke family is extremely grateful to the continued support of the Gunnedah community and the efforts of those such as Molly and the swimming club, particularly as many of those offering their support and sending good wishes have not met Ava or her family.
“I have always been impressed by Gunnedah’s ability to come together as a community and the continued support of the community is appreciated.
“The family had some beautiful photos taken recently by Gunnedah girl Kate Kennedy who has Kate Kennedy Birth Photography.
“She was so supportive and worked around hospital and other schedules to take the updated pictures.”
Anyone wishing to help the family can drop a donation into the specially marked tins at Gunnedah Pool, Target Country, McDonalds, Hennessy Real Estate, Riley’s Furniture & Carpets, Enchanted Events & Balloons, Namoi River Meats, Marvel Designs, Jack & Jill’s Cafe, Just Country, Allmar Embroidery, Regency Jewellers, Gunnedah Fashion Fabrics.
Direct deposit donations can be made to an account set up at the Greater Building Society for the family: Ava’s Leukemia Fund/Danielle Luke, BSB 637000, account No. 721084205.
